HCAHPS Series: Nurse and Interprofessional Team Communication

Course overview

Working in the healthcare field requires outstanding communication skills. Effectively communicating with the patient, family, and colleagues is the foundation for a therapeutic and positive patient experience. The patient's care experience is greatly influenced by what is communicated and what the patient and family observe. As healthcare providers, we are impacted and impact others through our communication. Whether it is advocating for a patient, establishing rapport and empathy with a patient and his or her support system, or communicating with other members of the interprofessional team, our ability to effectively communicate is consistently challenged. Our relationships, personally and professionally, are built on communicating and relating to others. When we communicate effectively, patients are more likely to experience care as more positive and rate their care higher.